What I've Read in 2017

New York by Edward Rutherfurd. This is FANTASTIC! It is also very long and not one to skim through. Begins in 1664 in what was New Amsterdam and ends a couple years after 9-11. Follows familes over 400 years and how some intertwine. The historic value of how the city we know now came to be with its immigrants, wars, strikes glory days, etc, is interesting and fascinating. LOVED it!

The Girl on the Cliff by Lucinda Riley. Two families that are connected by genes, tragedy and love. Set in London, Ireland and New York, this is a good read and had me turning pages and being unsure of what was coming next. Very good.

Siracusa by Delia Ephron This story tells of one vacation abroud from the 4 viewpoints of the two couples. Same facts, different interpretations. Two marriages unraveling. Interesting perspective, but I didn;t really care for any of the characters. Maybe that was the point.

The Shadow Sister by Lucinda Riley. #3 in the series. Can't wait for #4 to come out.

The Storm Sister by Lucinda Riley. Number two in the Seven Sisters' series. I enjoyed.

The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig. A homesteading widower with three boys answers an ad for a housekeeper in Montana. Who arrives will change many things. I enjoyed this and was always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

My Grandmother asked me to Tell You She's Sorry. Hard to get into but I really liked it. Story from a 7 year old's eyes. Her grabdmother was a storyteller...a fairy tale weaver. Upon her death, reality meets the tales. I enjoyed this!

The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley. Adored. Next two books already ordered from library. 6 sisters adopted from far corners of the world by a wealthy and kind father. Upon his death, secrets are learned and journeys begin...in this one for the eldest daughter.

All My Love, Detrick byRoberta Kagan Set in Berlin during WWII. I enjoyed this tale of hope, love, loyalty and sacrifiice in an unimaginable time.

The Templar's Cross by J.R. Tomlin. This was okay for me. I grew confused and felt as thought there were too many storylines. Just not my cup of tea.

Paper Boats by Dee Lestari. This tells the tale of an artist and a writer. Friends. confidants. I enjoyed their journey.

Changing of the Guard by James Farner. This follows an orphan boy in the 1800's on England. I grew to care what happened to him as he grew and was intrigued by the people in and out of his life. Secrets. I enjoyed this.

The Practice House by Laura McNeal. Tale begins with two Scottish sisters who were visited bt Morman miussionaries. How their livesplay out was not as I expected or had hoped for. Not my favorite

The Girl Who Came Home by Hazel Gaynor. This follows the story of a young Irish girl who survived the Titanic. It is fascinating to hear her thoughts from the time she learned she would be leaving her homeland and then through the sinking. I enjoyed this.

Through the Streets Broad and Narrow by Gemma Jackson. I loved this! Set in Dublin in the early 1900's..tenament houses and wealthy mansions meet. I found a couple spots where I wanted to cheer outloud! The ending reads like the old T.V. season ending cliffhanger! Need to read the next book NOW. Easy and fun.

Bloody Lessons by Louisa M. Locke. I have read another in this series and enjoyed this one as well. Continues with the life of a widowed woman supporting herself in a man's world in San Francisco in the late 1880's. I like the characters and care what happens to them. Easy and enjoyable read.

The Garden on Sunset by Martin Turnbill This is set in Hollywood just as the talking films were coming into being. Lots of parties, alcohol and what it took the young, friends to make it in their respective careers. I finished it, but not a favorite.

Undesirable by Laura Stapleton This is the second in a series of three, but works on its own. Follows characters on the Oregon Trail. Enjoyed it...an easy read.

1931 by ML Gardner I am still enjoying this series a great deal.

Of Moths and Butterflies by V.R Christensen I liked this. A wealthy young woman, with a sad childhood inherets great wealth when her uncle dies. She waants nothing to do with the fortune and tries to escape from the weight of it. Good read.

Still Life with Murder by P.B Ryan Follows a nursery maid in Boston in the mid 1800's, Misunderstandings, Civil War prison camp, love (of course) and a murder...or self defense. Hmmmmm. I liked this.

The Smuggler's Gambit by Sara Whitford Set in North Carolina, circa 1765. Follows the life of a teen boy who finds himself apprenticing with a sea merchant. Friendship, loyalty and the turmoil that was in this country in those years. Enjoyed this.

The One I Was by Eliza Graham. The story of a nurse returning to her childhood home to care for the present owner, who is dying. Weaves nicely how their pasts intertwine over the years without their knowledge. I enjoyed this.

The Man From St. Petersburg by Ken Follet. I have enjoyed this author in the past and this book was no exception. Russia, England, love, betrayal, murder, sacrifice...its all there

Three Daughters by Consuelo Saah Baehr, This follows the lives of three generations of women and how their decisions impact those in the future. Beginning in Palestine in the late 1800 and continuing to the US, this was fascinating.

The Odds of Loving Grover Cleveland by Rebekah Crane This young adult book tells the story of unlikely friends during a summer camp for at risk teens. Enjoyable

An Innocent Client by Scott Pratt This was a good whodunit. The main character is a lawyer whose biggest desire is to defen one innocent person. This was a page turner.

The Midwife's Revolt by Jodi Daynard This begins in 1775, south of Boston as the Battle in Charleston rages. A young midwife befriends Abigail Adams as her husband...and Abigail's ...are off to fight for and form America. This had it all...American history, friendship, spies, romance and excitement. This is the first in a series and I'll read more.

Palm Trees in the Snow by Luz Gabas. This story follows the lives of two Spanish brothers and their lives as Colonists on a cocoa plantation in Africa. I found the historical aspect fascinating and eye opening. The story opens when a daughter reads a box of letters from that period. I really enjoyed this book.

Shadow of a Century by Jean Grainger. Set in 1913 Dublin, this follows the often lives of those fighting for and dying to be free from British rule. Historical novels are right up my alley and this was no different. At least one love story is intertwined as well.

For Now and Forever by Sophie Love Leaving NYC and escaping to her father's abandonded home in Maine starts a whole new life for Emily, but not one she had planned.

Once in a While by Linda Ellen. This a a true love story beginning in the 1937 South. A young girl and her love. Lies never meant to hurt, but they always do. This was good!